Simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system such as for use in a camera

Abstract

A simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system such as for use in a camera. In a preferred embodiment the system is mounted in a housing and includes a trigger with a trigger button for pressing by the operator and a trigger point for advancing the film in a film track, a shutter which is simultaneously advanced by the trigger with the film and along a shutter track, a ramp coupled to the housing which engages the trigger point and causes the film and shutter to release, a spring which is coupled to the housing and the shutter and causes the shutter to return to its original position, and a light baffle to reduce the amount of light exposed to the film when the shutter initially returns to its at rest position. In another embodiment suitable for use with 35 mm film, the system is mounted in a camera and includes a simplified trigger, shutter and film advance system which requires fewer components and fewer moving parts than existing cameras and which is operated by pressing the trigger which thereby advances the film and activates the shutter. In another embodiment, the system further includes a substantially unitary trigger mechanism to advance the film and actuate a rotary shutter.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A camera comprising a housing including an aperture in an exterior wall, a wedge stop, and a film track for receiving film;   a lens mounted adjacent said aperture;   a shutter rotatably mounted in said housing, said shutter being rotatable between a rest position and an actuated position, said shutter covering the aperture in the rest position and opening the aperture in the actuated position to allow light to enter said housing and thereby expose the film;   a substantially unitary trigger rotatably mounted in said housing and having consecutive first, second and third positions, said trigger comprising an arm and a strike bar constructed and arranged to advance from said first position, through said second position, to said third position, said arm engaging a sprocket hole in the film at said first position and advancing the film until reaching said second position, said strike bar engaging said wedge stop between said first and third positions, and said arm engaging and releasing said strike bar from said wedge stop at said third position to thereby allow said strike bar to strike said shutter and rotate said shutter from said rest position to said actuated position.   
     
     
       2. The camera of claim 1, further comprising a spring coupled to said shutter and to said housing, and adapted to return said shutter to said rest position.   
     
     
       3. The camera of claim 1, further comprising a coil spring coupled to said trigger and against said housing, and adapted to return said trigger to said first position.   
     
     
       4. The camera of claim 1, further comprising a film storage area located in said housing and having a flexible blade for storage of film prior to exposure.   
     
     
       5. The camera of claim 1, further comprising a cassette storage area located in said housing and having a flexible blade for storage of film after exposure.   
     
     
       6. The camera of claim 5, wherein said cassette storage area is removable from the camera. 
     
     
       7. The camera of claim 6, wherein said cassette storage area includes a film track for receiving film, said film track having a chicane in double chevron configuration to prevent light from reaching said film inside said cassette storage area after said cassette storage area is removed from the camera. 
     
     
       8. A method for exposing film in a film track comprising the steps of moving a trigger having an actuation lever, a push bar, an arm and a strike bar, by pushing said actuation lever, from a first position, through a second position, to a third position, whereby said arm engages the film in the film track at the first position and advances the film until reaching the second position, said strike bar engaging a wedge stop between the first position and the third position, thereby storing potential energy in said strike bar;   releasing the stored potential energy in said strike bar at the third position to actuate a shutter that is movable between a rest position and an actuated position, said shutter covering said film from exposure to light when in said rest position and not covering said film from exposure to light when in said actuated position.   
     
     
       9. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of returning the trigger to the first position using a coil spring. 
     
     
       10. A method according to claim 8, further comprising the step of returning the shutter to its original position using a/spring.